Dvd
Predicament
A crime comedy set in 1930s small town New Zealand about a naive teen who conspires with two misfits to photograph and blackmail wealthy, adulterous couples. Stars Flight of the Conchord's Jemaine Clement as the creepy Spook, The Lovely Bones' Rose McIver as the lusted-after Maybelle, portly Australian comedian Heath Franklin, Wellington theatre actor Hayden Frost and musician Tim Finn.
Shot in the ‘Naki, this is the only remaining unfilmed novel by late Hawera author Ronald Hugh Morrieson (Came a Hot Friday). Director Jason Stutter has had a long collaboration with Clement, from his debut feature Tongan Ninja through to 2009's Diagnosis: Death.
Starring Jemaine Clement, Rose McIver, Heath Franklin, Tim Finn, Hayden Frost, Brooke Williams, Peter Mochrie
Directed by Jason Stutter ('Tongan Ninja', 'Diagnosis: Death')
Written by Jason Stutter (based on the novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson)
Festivals & Awards Winner of Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Make-Up Design and Best Visual Effects at the Aotearoa Film & Television Awards 2011.
Crime, Comedy | 1hr 38mins | Rated (M) | contains violence & offensive language | Origin: New Zealand | Official Site »
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Flicks review
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2
Predicament trudges along with a lingering sense of apathy, as if the filmmakers ran out of energy halfway through production. It’s all about some misfits in a bother marginally more exciting than being overcharged for a Tui at the Hawera RSA.
Thankfully, every effort is made to spruce up the presentation – there is something creepily gothic and wonderful about the creaky old buildings, the film is attractively lit and the flamboyant camera moves look like each took an afternoon to rehearse.
Perhaps needing a few more afternoons to rehearse is Aussie import Heath Franklin, who brings no charm, charisma or discernible personality to his line readings. Hayden Frost – the timid Laurel to Franklin’s Hardy – receives the unenviable task of over-enunciating words and blinking a lot. Thank goodness for Jemaine Clement, a glorious relief, like God chucking a gigantic bath sponge into the Gulf of Mexico.
The film’s conclusion is announced not with a cathartic release of tension or dramatic pay-off but by end credits scrolling up the screen. If you’re still awake, you might like to pay your respects to the hard-working crew. They’ve at least made this dull caper look good.
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68 reviews
Press Reviews
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Christchurch Press (Margaret Agnew)
This is turning out to be quite a good year for New Zealand films. After the phenomenal local success of Boy, here we have another Kiwi movie well worth watching and next month will see the release of The Insatiable Moon.
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Dominion Post (Graeme Tuckett)
Predicament is set in a small South Taranaki town in the 1930s. The place might not be exactly author Ronald Hugh Morrieson's native Hawera, but it was probably close enough to enrage more than a few locals.
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NZ Herald (Russell Baillie)
3
Tepid fourth adaptation of much-filmed local yarn-spinner
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